JP4406595B2 - Image data supplementary information automatic update method and system, and image data supplementary information automatic update program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides additional information such as header information (for example, Exif (Exchangeable Image File format) information) added to image data captured by a digital camera equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function or a mobile phone with a camera. The present invention relates to a method and system for updating information to the latest information, and an image data supplementary information automatic update program.

  Recent digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones are equipped with a GPS function in addition to timepieces such as a clock so that shooting position information and shooting date and time information can be added as supplementary information of the shot image data. It has become. For this reason, in order to use such a function, for example, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1 below, when the user side transmits the shooting position information and shooting date / time information of the shot image data to the information providing server, the information providing server Service information based on the information is returned, and the user side receiving the service information adds the service information as supplementary information of the captured image data.

  For example, when an event called the fireworks display in the Tama River is photographed with a digital camera, and the personal computer that stores the photographed image data is connected to the Internet, the information providing server displays the photographing position information of the photographed image data. The information providing server receives the shooting date and time information, searches the event database based on the information, and identifies an event called a fireworks display held in the Tama River. When the information providing server returns the event name “Fireworks on Tamagawa” to the personal computer as service information, the personal computer records the event name as incidental information of the photographed image data. As a result, when the photographed image data is later viewed with the viewer software, it can be easily understood that it is a photo of the fireworks display in the Tama River.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-80243

  The above-described conventional technique is suitable for identifying and classifying captured image data because service information such as an event name is added as supplementary information after capturing. However, as a characteristic of the event, for example, the name of the event that the XX team and the XX team play a game at the soccer stadium in the east longitude and the north latitude several times from 1 pm to 3 pm on October 20, for example. Although it can be easily understood by searching the event database even before the game starts, detailed information about who shot and scored within minutes after the game started can be found only after the event starts, and the information is provided by the information providing server. It will be entered later in the event database.

  In the case of the above-mentioned conventional technology, a user who wants to identify and classify captured image data with such detailed information needs to connect to the Internet in anticipation of the accumulation of necessary information in the information providing server. Until this time, the service information cannot be obtained by transmitting the incidental information of the captured image data to the information providing server.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain the latest service information specified by shooting position information and shooting date and time information, and to update the incidental information with the latest information any number of times, and a system for automatically updating the accompanying information of image data Another object of the present invention is to provide an image data supplementary information automatic update program.

The image data supplementary information automatic update system according to the present invention each time an action is performed on photographed image data to which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject-related information with date information are added as supplementary information. An image data supplementary information automatic update system including a center server that receives the captured image data transmitted from the user side terminal device via the Internet, wherein the center server is added to the received captured image data. the acquired subject-related information, already added to the date and time information with the captured image data that is attached to the subject related information associated with the captured image data by searching the database by the photographing position information and the shooting date and time information and wherein comparing the time information of the subject related information are the those who said retrieved acquires Characterized in that it comprises a function of returning the write said user terminal apparatus 該被 Utsushitai related information when Utsushitai relevant information is new as the additional information of the captured image data.

The image data supplementary information automatic update system according to the present invention each time an action is performed on photographed image data to which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject-related information with date information are added as supplementary information. An image data supplementary information automatic update system comprising: a user side terminal device that transmits via the Internet; and a center server that receives the shooting position information and the shooting date and time information transmitted by the user side terminal device, the center server a function of sending back to get the subject related information related to search the database by the photographing position information and the shooting date and time information received in the captured image data to the user terminal device, the user-side terminal device the return to the date and time information of the subject related information already included with the captured image data Comparing the date and time information of the subject related information that has been provided with a function of writing 該被 Utsushitai relevant information when it is new of the object-related information that has been the back as the additional information of the captured image data It is characterized by that.

  At the time of the action of the image data supplementary information automatic update system of the present invention, the photographing timing of the photographed image data, the browsing timing by the viewer application software, the timing when the photographing terminal device is placed in the cradle, and the photographed image data is a personal computer The timing at which the captured image data is attached to an e-mail, the timing at which the captured image data is transferred, and the timing at which the captured image data is printed out. It is characterized by.

  The image data supplementary information automatic update system according to the present invention comprises a local server group connected to the Internet, wherein various event information in an installation area is input and the event information is collected by the center server. .

The image data supplementary information automatic update method of the present invention is performed each time an action is performed on photographed image data to which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject related information with date information are added as supplementary information. The user side terminal device transmits the photographed image data to the center server via the Internet, and the center server searches the database by the photographing position information and the photographing date / time information added to the received photographed image data. the acquired subject-related information, comparing the date and time information of the subject related information already added to the captured image data and the date and time information attached to the subject related information associated with the captured image data, wherein Taking the retrieved acquired towards the subject related information is 該被 Utsushitai relevant information when new as the supplementary information Characterized in that it returned to the image data to writing the user-side terminal device.

The image data supplementary information automatic update method of the present invention is performed each time an action is performed on photographed image data to which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject related information with date information are added as supplementary information. The user-side terminal device transmits the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information to the center server via the Internet, and the center server searches the database based on the received shooting position information and the shooting date / time information to obtain the shot image data. to obtain the subject related information relevant returned to the user side terminal, the user terminal device, the date and time information and the object that has the sent back of the subject related information already included with the captured image data comparing the date information of the related information, the time it is new of the object-related information that has been the return The Utsushitai relevant information and writes as the additional information of the captured image data.

The image data supplementary information automatic update program of the present invention is mounted on a user-side terminal device, and is a captured image to which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject-related information with date information are added as supplementary information. An image data supplementary information automatic update program that is activated each time an action is performed on data, the step of transmitting the photographed image data to a center server via the Internet, the photographing position information of the photographed image data, and the photographing comparing the date and time information of the subject related information in which the center server based on the date and time information has already been added to the captured image data and the date and time information of the subject related information obtained by searching the database the center server and the search towards the subject related information obtained by the newly said center server is 該被 Utsushitai Characterized in that it comprises a step of receiving the captured image data when that has write back the communication information as the supplementary information.

The image data supplementary information automatic update program of the present invention is mounted on a user-side terminal device, and is photographed image data in which photographing position information , photographing date information, and subject-related information with date information are added as supplementary information. An image data supplementary information automatic update program that is activated each time an action is performed on the camera, the step of transmitting the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information to a center server via the Internet, the shooting position information and the shooting date / time The center server searching the database based on information receives the transmission of the subject related information acquired from the database, and the date and time information of the received subject related information and the captured image data already added wherein the photographic said received comparing the date and time information of the subject related information The subject related information towards the relevant information to the received time new, characterized in that it comprises a step of writing as the additional information of the captured image data.

  According to the present invention, whenever any action is performed on captured image data, the center server is accessed to acquire information (event information) related to the subject, and whether or not the obtained information is the latest information. Since the subject-related information is attached to the captured image data as supplementary information in the latest case, the latest subject-related information is automatically written as supplementary information in the captured image data without being conscious of the user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system that implements an image data supplementary information automatic updating method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a center server (information providing server) 2 connected to the Internet 1, a number of local server groups 3 connected to the Internet 1, and a user-side terminal device 4 connected to the Internet 1. The user-side terminal device 4 is a personal computer, a PDA with a communication function, or the like that has received image data taken by these terminal devices, in addition to a mobile phone with a camera, a digital camera with a communication function, or the like.

  The center server 2 includes a control unit 2a, an event database 2b, and a facility mapping information database 2c. In the facility mapping information database 2c, facilities, places, and longitudes and latitudes of facilities, etc. that exist in various parts of the country are stored corresponding to the names of facilities and places. It is possible. In addition, the event database 2b stores information on events held in various parts of the country corresponding to facility names, etc., and searches for event information performed at the facilities based on the facility name and date and time information. It can be done.

  Each local server of the local server group 3 is installed in, for example, DPE stores nationwide that provide photo print services, and local staff members such as service clerks perform athletic events and festivals held at nearby schools. Information related to these events is input, and information related to these events is updated and input.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing in which the center server 2 collects event-related information from the local server group 3 and updates the stored information in the event database 2b.

  The person in charge of the area inputs information on various events held in the area in charge, along with time information, place name (facility name) information, etc. to a personal computer etc., and if there is additional information or correction information in the event information When information is input each time, the input information is reflected as the latest stored information of the local server 3.

  The control unit 2a of the center server 2 periodically starts the information collection agent that is application software asynchronously with a timer, collects event information from each local server 3, and updates the stored information in the event database 2b to the latest information. Update. Note that the latest information is the latest information when the information (original information) is corrected, and the updated information is the latest information when the original information includes additional information. is there.

  When a user captures an image with a digital camera or the like having a GPS function and a timekeeping function, the Exif header information of the captured image data includes the longitude and latitude information (capturing position information) of the shooting location, the shooting date, Information on shooting time (shooting date information) is written. Then, when any action is taken on the captured image data, the image data supplementary information automatic update program is activated.

  The action for photographed image data includes, for example, when a release button of a digital camera or the like is pressed and the photographed image data is stored in a memory together with photographing position information and photographing date / time information. When viewing viewer image data by launching viewer software on a digital camera, personal computer, etc., placing a digital camera, etc. on a cradle, transferring captured image data from a digital camera, etc. to a personal computer, etc. This includes the case where the photographed image data is transmitted by e-mail or the like, and the case where the photographed image data is printed out. This also includes the case where the user explicitly inputs an instruction to automatically update the image data supplementary information.

  When the image data supplementary information automatic update program is activated, the user side terminal device 4 such as a digital camera or a personal computer confirms that it is connected to the Internet 1, and connects to the Internet 1 when it is not connected. Access server 2. Then, the captured image data is transmitted to the center server 2.

  The image data supplementary information automatic update program waits for the photographed image data to be returned from the center server 2 after transmitting the photographed image data to the center server 2, and when the photographed image data is returned, the transmitted photographed image data Is overwritten with the returned photographed image data.

  The center server 2 that has received the captured image data transmitted from the user side terminal device 4 reads the incidental information (photographing position information and photographing date / time information) of the received photographed image data, and stores it in the photographing position information (longitude and latitude information). The facility mapping information database 2c is searched based on the name of the facility existing at the photographing position. Next, the event database 2b is searched on the basis of the facility name, and an event that has been performed at the shooting date and time at the facility or the like is specified.

  The center server 2 retrieves event-related information related to the event from the event database 2b, and when there is event-related information already written as incidental information in the captured image data, that is, information related to the subject (subject-related information), The date / time information of the event-related information is compared with the date / time information of the event-related information (latest subject-related information) extracted from the event database 2b.

  If the event-related information already written as incidental information in the captured image data is old information, or if event-related information has not yet been written as incidental information, the latest event-related information (event database 2b) and the captured image data is returned to the user terminal device 4.

  In the above-described embodiment, the photographic image data main body is exchanged between the user side terminal device 4 and the center server 2 together with the incidental information including the photographing position information and the photographing date / time information. However, it is necessary to exchange the photographic image data main body one by one. However, it is sufficient that only the incidental information can be exchanged, and the net load is reduced accordingly.

  However, in this case, the image data supplementary information automatic update program installed on the user side terminal device 4 side needs to have a function of rewriting the supplementary information of the photographed image data. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image data supplementary information automatic updating program according to the second embodiment of the present invention installed in the user side terminal device 4.

  When the user side terminal device 4 starts an action on the captured image data, for example, when an image viewer is activated (step S1), or when the captured image data is selected, enlarged, clicked or the like while the image viewer is activated, or explicitly When the event information acquisition instruction is input (step S2), the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information are read from the incidental information of the shot image data, and the event related information search process (step S3) is performed.

  In this event-related information search process (step S3), shooting position information and shooting date / time information are transmitted to the center server 2 via the Internet 1, and event-related information or information without event-related information is transmitted from the center server 2. Wait for it to come.

  The center server 2 obtains event-related information from the event database 2b based on the received photographing position information and photographing date / time information, and transmits the obtained event-related information or information with no event-related information to the user-side terminal device 4.

  In the next step S4, the user side terminal device 4 determines whether the acquisition of the event related information is correct or not, and when the information without the event related information is received from the center server 2, the image data supplementary information automatic update program is executed. End and return to the processing of the image viewer.

  When the event related information is transmitted from the center server 2, the determination result in step S4 is affirmative (YES), and it is then determined whether or not the event related information has already been written in the Exif header in the captured image data. (Step S5). If the event related information is not written, the event related information acquired from the center server 2 in step S3 is written in the Exif header (step S6), and then the image data supplementary information automatic update program is terminated, and the image viewer Return to processing.

  If the event-related information has already been written in the Exif header as a result of the determination in step S5, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S7, the date / time information of the event-related information already written and the event acquired in step S3. If the event related information acquired in step S3 is new, the process proceeds to step S6 to update the event related information. If the event related information acquired in step S3 is not new, the event related information acquired in step S3 is compared. The image data supplementary information automatic update program is terminated, and the process returns to the image viewer process.

  In this embodiment, the user side terminal device makes a comparison between the latest event-related information and the event-related information already written as incidental information on the user side terminal device. Information may also be configured such that the center server receives information from the user side terminal device, the center server side makes a new / old determination, and the center server transmits to the user side terminal device only when the latest event related information is newer.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image data supplementary information automatic update program according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the image data supplementary information automatic update program of the second embodiment, event-related information in the supplementary information is automatically updated for each piece of photographed image data. In this embodiment, each event of a plurality of pieces of photographed image data is performed. Automatically update related information at once.

  When the user side terminal device 4 starts an action on the photographic image data, for example, an image viewer (step S1), the photographic image data in the storage medium is scanned (step S11), and photographic information having photographing position information and photographing date / time information is obtained. Image data is listed (step S12).

  Next, Steps S3 to S7 described with reference to FIG. 3 are executed for the first photographed image data in the list, and after these executions, it is determined whether or not the processing has progressed to the end of the list (Step). S13). If the process has not progressed to the end of the list, the process returns to step S3. When the process has progressed to the end of the list, the image data supplementary information automatic update program is terminated, and the process returns to the image viewer process.

  According to the present invention, event information (subject-related information) related to captured image data is added as incidental information and the event-related information is automatically updated to the latest information. Therefore, a digital camera, a mobile phone with a camera, The convenience of a personal computer or the like that processes captured image data is increased.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system that performs an image data supplementary information automatic updating method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the process outline | summary in which the center server shown in FIG. 1 collects event relevant information from a local server group, and updates the storage information of an event database. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image data supplementary information automatic update program which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image data supplementary information automatic update program which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet 2 Center server 2a Control part 2b Event database 2c Facility mapping information database 3 Local server group 4 User side terminal device

Claims (8)

Each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date and time information, and subject-related information with date and time information are added as supplementary information, the user side terminal device transmits via the Internet. An image data supplementary information automatic update system comprising a center server for receiving the photographed image data, wherein the center server stores a database based on the photographing position information and the photographing date / time information added to the received photographed image data. Locate and obtains the subject related information associated with the captured image data, and the date and time information of the subject related information already added to the captured image data and the date and time information attached to the subject related information comparison, before the search was obtained towards the subject related information is 該被 Utsushitai relevant information when new Image data supplementary information automatic updating system characterized in that it comprises a function of returning the write said user terminal apparatus as the additional information of the captured image data. A user-side terminal device that transmits via the Internet each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date / time information, and subject-related information with date / time information is added as auxiliary information; An image data supplementary information automatic update system comprising: a center server that receives the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information transmitted by the user-side terminal device, wherein the center server receives the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information. a function of returning to the subject related information acquires the user-side terminal apparatus searches the database associated with the captured image data by the user side terminal device, the subject related already included in the captured image data and said date and time information of the date information and the subject related information have the sent back information And compare the image data accompanying information automatic updating system characterized in that it comprises a function of writing the 該被 Utsushitai relevant information when it is new of the object-related information that has been the back as the additional information of the captured image data. Timing of the action is performed, the photographing timing of the captured image data, viewing timing of viewer application software, timing photographing terminal device is placed on the cradle, the timing when the captured image data has been transferred to the personal computer, the shooting 2. The timing according to claim 1, wherein the timing is one of a timing at which image data is attached to an e-mail and transferred, and a timing at which the photographed image data is printed out. The image data supplementary information automatic update system according to claim 2.   4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a local server group connected to the Internet and receiving various event information of an installation area and collecting the event information by the center server. 5. Automatic update system for image data. Each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date / time information, and subject-related information with date / time information are added as supplementary information, the user-side terminal device transmits the captured image data via the Internet. in then transmitted to the center server, the center server, the subject-related information by searching the database associated with the captured image data by the shooting position information and the shooting date and time information added to the captured image data received obtained, comparing the date and time information of the subject related information already added to the captured image data and the date and time information attached to the subject related information, the search and obtained towards the subject related information for write said user terminal apparatus in the captured image data as the supplementary information 該被 Utsushitai related information when the new Image data supplementary information automatic updating method characterized by return. Each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date and time information, and subject-related information with date and time information are added as supplementary information, the user-side terminal device performs the shooting position information and the shooting. sends time and date information to the center server via the Internet, said the center server retrieves the object-related information associated with searching the database by the photographing position information and the shooting date and time information received in the captured image data the user returned to the side terminal device, the user-side terminal device, comparing the date and time information of the subject related information the date information and have the sent back of the subject related information already included with the captured image data, wherein the biasing of the photographed image data is a 該被 Utsushitai related information when new towards the subject related information sent back Image data supplementary information automatic updating method and writes the information. An image that is mounted on the user-side terminal device and is activated each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date / time information, and subject-related information with date / time information are added as supplementary information A data supplementary information automatic update program, wherein the center server searches a database based on the step of transmitting the photographed image data to a center server via the Internet, and based on the photographing position information and the photographing date / time information of the photographed image data and the subject related information obtained by the time and date information and the date and time information and the subject related information in which the center server is obtained by the search compares the subject related information already added to the captured image data it is the newly the center server've been writing back the 該被 Utsushitai-related information as the supplementary information Image data supplementary information automatic updating program characterized by comprising a step of receiving the captured image data can. Image data that is mounted on the user-side terminal device and is activated each time an action is performed on captured image data to which shooting position information , shooting date / time information, and subject-related information with date / time information are added as supplementary information An auxiliary information automatic update program, the step of transmitting the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information to a center server via the Internet, and the center server searching a database based on the shooting position information and the shooting date / time information. said comparing comprising the steps of: receiving a transmission of the object-related information obtained from the database, and the date and time information of said received time information and the subject related information already added to the captured image data of the subject related information the subject who received the object-related information to the received time new Image data supplementary information automatically updates the communication information; and a step of writing as the additional information of the captured image data.

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